d been a man I should have been a soldier. But do you know,
Sir Keith, you were once very rude to me about your friend Lieutenant
Ogilvie?"

Macleod started.

"I hope not," said he gravely.

"Oh yes, you were. Don't you remember the Caledonian Ball? I only
remarked that Lieutenant Ogilvie, who seemed to me a bonnie boy, did not
look as if he were a very formidable warrior; and you answered with some
dark saying--what was it?--that nobody could tell what sword was in a
scabbard until it was drawn?"

"Oh," said he, laughing somewhat nervously, "you forget: I was talking
to the Duchess of Devonshire."

"And I am sure her Grace was much obliged to you for frightening her
so," Miss White said, with a dainty smile.

Major Stuart was greatly pleased by the appearance and charming manner
of this young lady. If Macleod, who was confessedly a handsome young
fellow, had searched all over England, he could not have chosen a fitter
mate. But he was also distinctly of opinion--judging by his one eye
only--that nobody needed to be alarmed about this young lady's exceeding
sensitiveness and embarrassment before strangers. He thought she would
on all occasions be fairly capable of holding her own. And he was quite
convinced, too, that the beautiful clear eyes, under the long lashes,
pretty accurately divined what was going forward. But what did this
impression of the honest soldier's amount to? Only, in other words, that
Miss Gertrude White, although a pretty woman, was not a fool.

Luncheon was announced, and they went into the other room, accompanied
by Miss Carry, who had suffered herself, to be introduced to Major
Stuart with a certain proud sedateness. And now the major played the
part of the accepted lover's friend to perfection. He sat next Miss
White herself; and no matter what the talk was about, he managed to
bring it round to something that redounded to Macleod's advantage.
Macleod could do this, and Macleod could do that; it was all Macleod,
and Macleod, and Macleod.

"And if you should ever come to our part of the world, Miss White," said
the major--not letting his glance meet hers--"you will be able to
understand something of the old loyalty and affection and devotion the
people in the Highlands showed to their chiefs; for I don't believe
there is a man, woman, or child about the place who would not rather
have a hand cut off than that Macleod should have a thorn scratch him.
And it is all the more singular, you